The Art in Me: November in Pictures

You know how you avoid things when it gets to a certain point because it just seems too daunting? Daunting as in going back to NOVEMBER to upload and document pictures on your blog?

Yeah, that's how I feel right now.

But I'm going to just try and get it done. I've chosen naps over most other things the last few months.

I had a friend tell me I take too many pictures, which could very well be the main issue. I'm sorry. I just can't help myself. When you're with these two kids every day all day, it's hard not to. But per her observation and encouragement, I'm trying harder to just live in the moment rather than behind the camera on my phone so often. Wish me luck!

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Ok.....November Family Pictures! Let's go!

She loves to feel the baby kick and one time said afterwards, "awwww, the baby just said 'I want to come out and meet my Sissy!"

Daddy is the best wrestler.

When one wants "uppie" the other one usually does as well.

For whatever reason I had to go out and shovel (I don't remember why it couldn't wait....) This was early winter so we literally had no boots or gloves for Conrad yet. (What kind of parents are we.) That coat was a hand-me-down but it was way too small and he hated it. I was waiting and hoping I could find boots from a friend rather than have to go buy a pair, so the poor boy was outside in Gwendolyn's rain boots wearing mommy's gloves. As seen in the first picture, he wasn't happy.

And I was convinced that he just plain hated the cold weather.

Once we got things that actually fit him, I'll have you know he changed his mind and now enjoys playing in the snow. :) Bless his little baby heart.

They're so tender-hearted towards one another. Most of the time.

Tenley came over to play!

My friend Margie had a third baby and less than two weeks later hosted a pj breakfast party for her daughter, Ceci's 4th birthday. The kids had so much fun and were so stinkin' cute in their jammies!

Watching a Superbook together in their usual spot.

We couldn't resist and let her open an early Christmas present....a princess robe! Look at her smile! She was THRILLED. Now we're TWINS!

She asked him to snuggle with her because her "love tank was empty." So he did. And then it was full.

Family movie night!

Building a fort.

This is a regular occurrence around here.....Conrad laying on top of Gwendolyn. I'm guessing they're similar weights so I'm not sure how much longer she'll be able to put up with him and his love of wrestling.

Back out in the snow.

In a better fitting snowsuit.

Still not super pumped.

Visiting Santa Clause, who was a pretty great Santa. I wasn't so sure how Conrad would do, but he wasn't scared of him at all.

What impressed us so much about this Santa was his British accent (seems appropriate, right?) and how he accurately guessed Conrad's age (18 months at the time) when everyone thinks he's older than he is.

Santa told us it's because he's so old and wise. ;)

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Charles City this year. This would be 10 month old, Lydia trying to push 18 month old Conrad. It just kills me.

Conrad snuggled with just about anyone, including my cousin, Adam.

Gwendolyn and Linde played together so well. Can't wait to watch them grow up together.

Playing princesses with Aunt Becca, of course.

He doesn't do that face a ton anymore (*tear) but that would be Conrad's excited/I like this/I think this is fun/I'm pumped face. It's pretty hilarious.

Gwendolyn may be the only girl, but she's certainly not left out. Ever. She's got the best big boy cousins ever. She was SO excited to have them playing Polly Pockets with her at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Watching videos with Uncle Robert.

This is the moment that Nathan told Gwendolyn that his General Grievous "was the biggest" (compared to her McDonald's happy meal Barbie.) She replied, "no, God's the biggest."

Her face. His face. Love it. So much.

I was the only one home with five kiddos while the others left to go look at a house mom and dad wanted to check out (they're in the market) so the "triplets" said they wanted to "make breakfast."

Watching a movie in the basement with Grandpa.

Libby is due only 5 days after me so it's been super fun to share in this third pregnancy together yet again (we've shared in all three.) We were 25 weeks and almost 26 weeks at this point.

They were "dancing" and he photo bombed my bi-weekly picture taking.

Gwendolyn:

Daddy took Gwendolyn to an evening class through the county that was all about owls. It's fun for them to be able to do these things together.

I often find rows of dolls because they're at "a party."

Lots and lots of princess and doll playing in this house.

This is a crazy story (maybe only to me.)

There are 400-450ish woman who attend BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) on Thursdays.

There are 12 woman in my study group.

I got to talking to my new friend Ashley who is in my group when we were both picking our 3 year old's up from their class. We discovered that Gwendolyn and her daughter Alexandra actually share a birthday (love their size difference) and in our talking further about how we both delivered at Woodwinds and both had water births, we put together that I was "kicked out" (not really...they let me linger for an hour) of the only water birth suite at that hospital because another patient wanted to use it and it was actually Ashley!

I'm thinking I'm the only one who would find that interesting, but what are the chances I end up meeting her 3.5 years later?!

I wanted a church coat for Gwendolyn and put my thrifty sister on a mission to help me find the perfect one (I'm picky.)

After sending me multiple pictures of ones she saw coming across her Omaha garage sale site that I declined, her boss told her that she had one she could just have.

Is that Land's End purple pea coat not the most adorable little thing you've ever seen?! God answers prayers, friends. He really does.

Conrad:

18 month old stats...

Head: 99%

Weight: 97%

Height: 97%

200% lovable

He was up early and so excited to see snow!

Someone was tired. And this was before we left the house. Not a good sign.

Conrad and his friends in the church nursery!

"Hey, Brooke.....you going to eat the rest of your graham cracker?"

Hard to tell in this picture...but Conrad was hot on Tenley's tail as she crawled underneath the table.

However, he quickly discovered that he didn't fit quite as well as she did and gave up.

Trisha and John so graciously watched Conrad for us one night so I could attend a meeting and Tom could take Gwendolyn to swimming lessons. Sometimes it takes a village!